Plug gauges



April 23, 1957 Filed NOV. 8, 1954 J. s. BEDFORD 2,789,358

PLUG GAUGES 2 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR Jolm 5. Bea/fora BY y fd ATTORNEY J. S. BEDFORD PLUG GAUGES April 23, 1957 2 She ets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 8, 1954 E Q W0 0 P-IIIIIIII I N VENTOR ATTORNEY U d tat s Paten PLUG GAUGES John S. Bedford, St. Louis, Mo.

Application November 8, 1954, Serial No. 467,484 10 Claims. (Cl. 33-178) The invention relates to plug gauges, and more particularly to progressive plug gauges of the go and not go type. The advantages of a progressive gauge over a double-ended gauge are relatively well known. The general disadvantage of conventional progressive plug gauges is that when the go member is worn both it and the perfectly good not go member must be discarded. My invention provides a progressive plug gauge in which the go and not go members are entirely separate and can be replaced individually as they wear or become obsolete.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description in which specific embodiments of the invention are set forth by way of illustration rather than by Way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention, shown partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the handle on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the handle;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the gauge members;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the gauge member;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of one of the connecting members;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the connecting member;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the invention embodying a modified form of the handle;

Fig. 9 is I3. plan view of a key used in the invention;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the key; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the key in use in separating two gauge members from a connector member.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the reference letter A denotes a suitable handle which may be formed of metal, wear resistant plastics or the like, and which is provided with tubular end sockets which may be tapered at opposite ends to receive like interchangeable and symmetrical connecting members B, each end of which is adapted to snugly fit the sockets in the handle. As is apparent, one end of any of a series of connector members B may be inserted in an end socket of the handle member A, leaving a projecting end to receive the plug gauge, which is likewise provided with end sockets corresponding to the ends of the connecting members B. As shown, a gauge member C of one outside daimeter is fitted to a connector B at one end of the handle A and a gauge member C of dilferent outside diameter is fitted to the connector at the other end. Each of these gauge mem bers C and C has a second end socket each adapted to receive a connector member B. The two end connector members B, B are in turn adapted to receive gauge members D and D. It will be understood that the end gauge members D and D will be of smaller outside diameter than the corresponding gauge members C and C connected directly to the handle A. Thus, in the general assembly the gauge members C and C adjacent the handle I may be referred to as not go members and the relatively smaller members D and D constitute go members. Since the connector members B are identical and interchangeable, and since the end sockets of the handle A and of all the gauge members are alike and adapted to receive either end of any connector member, it will be apparent that the gauges may be reversed so that either end may be used and that any gauge member may be replaced when worn. The taper of the end sockets and of the ends of the connecting members is such as to insure firm ad-- herence between the connector members on the one hand and the gauge members or handle on the other.

In the modified system shown in Fig. 8 a T-shaped handle A having three legs is substituted for the doubleended handle A of the previously described embodiment,

and each of the legs of the handle A is provided with an end socket adapted to receive a connector member B similar to that employed in the previously described embodiment of the invention wherein a double-ended handle A is employed. Thus, with the T-shaped handle A (Fig. 8) three not go gauge C, C and C may be employed and three go gauges D, D and D may also be employed. A handle with several legs is capable of numerous gauge set-ups, as will be readily apparent.

For the purpose of illustration the various parts of the gauge assembly, namely the handle, connector elements and the gauge elements proper will now be described in further detail but it will be obvious that the invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to such detailsalthough the detailed embodiments are preferred.

Referring to the double-ended handle A, this comprises a body member 10 which may be of metal, plastic or the like, and is shown as hexagonal in cross section and provided with like sockets 11 and 12 adapted to receive either end of any one of a plurality of interchangeable connector members B. As shown, the handle A is hollow, the sockets 11 and 12 being connected by a passage 13 to reduce the weight, though it may be solid if desired. The handle A may be similar to the handle A except that it is T-shaped and is provided with three legs 14, 15 and 16 having end sockets 17, 18 and 19, respectively, similar to the sockets 11 and 12 of the handle A and adapted to receive similar connector members B.

As previously set forth, the connector members B are alike and interchangeable, and accordingly a description of one applies to all. In the form shown in the drawings the connector member comprises a plug 20 which may be of metal, plastic or the like, and may be similarly shaped at its ends 21 :and 22, the end portions being adapted to fit sockets in handle A or A, or to fit the sockets of the various go and not go gauge members C, D, etc. Between the tapered portions 21 and 22 there may be provided a non-tapered portion 23, herein shown as relatively short in comparison to the tapered ends, in which non-tapered portions an aperture 24 may be formed adapted to receive the plug portion of a disconnector key or tool E shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, to be more fully described hereinafter, but which serves to force the ends of the connector member B from the sockets in which they are housed when it is desired to disassemble the parts of the composite gauge.

The various gauge members C, D etc. are essentially alike except for the outer diameters thereof, and a description of one will accordingly apply to all. As shown in Fig. 4 such gauge member comprises a tubular body 30 of circular cross section, the outside diameter of which in the case of go members D, D and D" is such as to just fit within the opening to be gauged, and in the case of the not go members C, C and C the diameteris such that it cannot be inserted in the said opening, this Patented Apr. 23, 1957 being weli known in the art. Each body portion 30' is provided-- with tapered end sccketportionsB-l, 32-adaptedto receive either of the tapered ends 21 or 22 of any one of the interchangeable connector members B.

Smee the-fit between thetap'ered ends of the-connector members B and the tapered sockets of the-handle andgauge memb'ersmay be tight, asuit-able disconnectort'ool or Roy E previously referred to -may be'pro'v-idedl- Asshown, the key comprises ahandle portion'40 suitablefor 'us'e as a' thumband for'efinger grip; a plug p'ortiorwl l rigid with the handle and adapted" to be inserted in the aperture 24 of an assembled connector unit B, and an elliptical cam member 42; which is adapted to-fit in the separated from the sockets i'n which they have been re-- The-invention has beendescribed 'in-det'ail for the purpose of illustration but it' will becbvious that modifications=and variations may be resorted towithin the scope of the-appended claims without'departing from the spirit of thefinv'ention.

Forexample, the particular method herein disclosed of joining the various partsis not essential, nor necessarily the-best for all: types of application, and other connecting devices cou-ld be used, as, for example, along screw passing'th'rough the-1 center of thegauge' member or acombination of a's'crewand a tapered connector'or other suit-' able connecting means, in which case a different form'of key: would berequired, as for example a screw driver.

Amougthe advantagesof'the present gauge-may bementinned-the following:

' 1.- The gauge may be set up with a progressive gauge at each end, or with the T-handle it can be set upwith three guagemand two di-rnensions, or three, may be gauged While picking up the part being gauged only once.-

21 Elimination of a separate handle for each gauge setup maloes the-gauge storage problem simpler and reduces the: investment required for the gauge equipment. This, of course, necessitates the marking of each member asis done with gauge blocks.

3. The hollow cylindrical shape will facilitate better licatitrea'irncnt which will result in a harder surface and longetil ife for the gauge.

4'. The gauge members are reversible. When one end of gauge member isworn it may be marked and in future set-ups it may be assembled so that theunwom end is used for gauging.

5. The. not go may get the same amount of wear as thego by being: used as a go member in another setup, there'byincreasing its life many times over whatit would'beiitiit were discarded alongwith the worn go member'as is done with conventional progressive gauges.

6. The gaugetmay be set upfas' a conventional singleended or double'end'ed plug gauge for cases in which a progressive'gauge cannot be used.

I claim:

1. In: aplug gauge, the. combination of a handle provided at one end thereof with a tubular socket, a plurality of gauge. members each providedv with a socket corresponding to the socket in saidhandle', and'a plurality ofiidentical', symmetrical and reversibleconnector membersha-ving end portions receivable snugly and selective- Iyinthe' sockets ofsaid handle and of said gauge members, whereby the handle and the gaugemembers may be separably and interchangeably secured together.

2. In a plug. gauge, the combination of a handle providedat one end thereof with a longitudinally tapered tubular'sccket, a plurality of gauge members each provided with a'socket corresponding to" the socket in said handle, and a plurality of identical, symmetricaland" reversibleelongated"connector members each having tapered cndportionsreceivable selectively in the sockets of said greases handle and of said gauge members, whereby the handle and. the gauge. members may he. separably and. inter;- changeably secured together.

3. In a plug gauge, the combination of a handle provided in at least one end thereof with a longitudinally tapered tubular socket, a plurality of elongated gauge members each provided in opposite end portions thereof with sockets correspondingv to t-he socket in said handle, and a plurality of identical and interchangeable elongated connector members each having tapered end portions receivable tightly and selectively inlthe sockets of said handle and of said gauge members, whereby the handle and the gauge members'may be separably and interchangeably secured together.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1 together with means for forcing said handle and said gauge members apart from said connector member.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 3 together with means for: forcingsaidi. handle and. said gauge members apart from said connector: members;

6. Irrapluggauge;.the combination'of a handle provided in. attleastiv oneend thereof with a. longitudinally tapered tubular socket, a. plurality of elongated gauge members eachrprovided: in opposite end portions thereof witlr sockets corresponding to the socket in said handle,

anda-plnralityofielongated connector. members each comprisingaatransversely 'apertured cylindrical intermediate: portion? and a.- pair: of tapered end portions receivable tightly and selectively in the sockets of said handle and ofisaid:gangemembers whereby. the same may be separably and interchangeably secured together, and means receivablmseiectively in-the. apertured intermediate portion; of. said connector; members for" forcing the handle and the gauge members apart.

7. The structure as set forth in claim. 6, wherein said means v comprise- 1 a key, a stem provided. on said key and rotatably receivable in the apertured portion of said conhector members; and acam provided on said stem and operatively engageable with said handle and said gauge members.

8. A plug gauge comprising in: combinatioman elongated handle provided in opposite end portions thereof with longitudinallyi'tapered tubular sockets, a pair of elongated gauge. members each provided in opposite end portions thereof with sockets corresponding. to the sockets in said handle, said; gauge members being disposed adjacentthe endsof.v the handle, a second pair of gauge members disposed at the outside ofthe 'firstmentioned' gauge'amembers and; provided with socketscoiresponding to the sockets in thexha-ndlmand a. set of identical, symmetrical and interchangeable elongated connector members. eacl'thaving tapered end portions receivable selectively in the sockets of the handle and of the first and second"mentionedgaugemenrbers, whereby to separably and interchangeably' securethesame together.

9. A pluggauge-comprising in combination, a substantially T-shapedzhandleprovided in: each end portion thereof. with a tapered tubular socket, a setof elongated gaugememb'ers each provided. in opposite end portions thereof with socket's corresponding'to' the socketsin said handle, said gaugemembers being disposed adjacent the ends of. said handle, a second set of gauge members disposedv at the outsideof. the first mentioned gauge members and provided with sockets corresponding: to the sockets in the handle,..atnd a set of elongated identical, symmetrical and interchangeable connector members each having tapered'end portions receivable snugly and. sele'ctively inv the=sockets of the handle and of the'first and second mentioned-sets of' gauge members, whereby t0 separably and-interchangeably se'cure'the same'together.

10L The'structureas set forth in claim 9 together with meansforforcing-said handle'and" said gauge members ap'arrfiomsaidconnector" members.

(References on following page) References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 139,092 Urie May 20, 1873 1,115,027 Seabury Oct. 27, 1914 1,788,268 Anderson Jan. 6, 1931 6 Fitzgerald Feb. 5, 1935 Schweickert July 16, 1946 Ahmer u. July 26, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 1, 1923 

